ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Railways
Freight Trains attain "Game Changing" top speed above 90 kmph on newly inaugurated New Khurja- New Bhaupur section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.
Faster speeds would result in faster delivery of goods and faster turnaround reducing freight costs.
53 Freight trains have run on this new section till 03rd January, 2021
In a game changing development, Freight Trains have started to attain top speeds of above 90 kmph on newly inaugurated New Khurja- New Bhaupur section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. Faster speeds would result in faster delivery of goods and faster turnaround reducing freight costs.
It may be noted that Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister had inaugurated the 351 Km New Khurja- New Bhaupur section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor on 29.12.2020. Meeting the objectives, the new section is witnessing seamless transportation of major freight commodities at a speed above 90 kmph on this newly inaugurated section. So far, 53 freight trains have been operated on this new section till 03rd January, 2021.
Till 03.01.21, Total Trains ran = 53
• Between New Khurja - New Bhaupur  = 32
Best Speed achieved = 93.70 kmph
• Between New Bhaupur - New Khurja  = 21
Best Speed achieved = 85.98 kmph
After the commissioning of this new section, Coal, Jute, Petroleum, Container, Iron & Steel and other minerals are primary commodities moving towards NCR and Punjab & Haryana area whereas Rice, Wheat and Food grain products from Punjab and Haryana area, Fertilizer, Steel, Coal loadable empty wagons etc are moving towards eastern India.
It is noteworthy that in the inaugural run, two freight trains were flagged off, 1.5 KM Long Haul 9400 Gross Ton Train loaded with Food grain from Mullanpur & Faridkot of Ludhiana, Punjab between New Khurja and New Bhaupur and 1.5 KM Long Haul 10420 Gross Ton Train loaded with Power House Coal from Chruri Siding Ray, Ranchi, Jharkhand & Dudhichua Wharf Siding, Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh between New Bhaupur and New Khurja of DFC network. On the return journey after unloading, the above rake achieved a speed of 90 kmph over DFC.
In the first phase, DFCCIL is constructing the Western DFC  and Eastern DFC  will pass through the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand to terminate at Dankuni in West Bengal. The Western Corridor connecting Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port  in Mumbai will traverse through the states of UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra of WDFC & EDFC  i.e. 2800 route Km will be commissioned by June 2022.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Targets of Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken up a nationwide campaign “Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Catch the Rain”  with the theme “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls” for creating appropriate rainwater harvesting structures in urban and rural areas of all the districts in the country, with people's active participation, during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods from March 22, 2021 to November 30, 2021. Creation of new and maintenance of old Rainwater Harvesting Structures; revival of traditional rainwater harvesting structures like stepwellsetc; enumeration, geo-tagging and making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific water conservation plans; setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras and intensive afforestation are part of the campaign.
JSA:CTR campaign is using inter-sectoral convergence of various development programmes/schemes. The targets of the works are fixed under the development schemes of respective Ministries/Departments. The details of progress made under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign upto 03.08.2021 as uploaded on JSA:CTR Portal  by the Central stakeholder Ministries/Departments in respect of various interventions are as under:-.
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Water conservation & Rainwater harvesting
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Renovation of traditional water bodies
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Reuse and recharge structures
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Watershed development
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Intensive afforestation
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564223
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93548
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503073
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561178
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66094276
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Food Processing Industries, ShriPrahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in the LokSabha today.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Uranium Contamination of Ground Water
Water being State subject, study on groundwater quality and making available safe water to public falls under States’ mandate. However, Central Ground Water Board  has carried out a study to map areas with Uranium contaminated ground water during 2019. As per this study, the occurrence of Uranium in ground water beyond the BIS permissible limits  of water was observed in around 409 groundwater samples against 14,377 samples analysed by the CGWB in around 18 States.
The data generated by CGWB has been shared with respective State Governments for taking suitable remedial action. Further, Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission  – Har Ghar Jal since August, 2019 to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to every rural household by 2024. In addition, under JJM, while allocating the funds to States/ UTs, 10% weightage is given to the population residing in habitations affected by chemical contaminants including heavy metals and while planning for potable water supply to household through tap connection, priority is to be given to quality-affected habitations.
As per Department of Atomic Energy , hydrogeological and stable isotope tracer investigations carried out in the groundwater around the Tummalapalle uranium mining project have confirmed that there is no association between uranium mining industry and elevated uranium levels in ground water. The Uranium occurrence is natural which has been confirmed from the investigations.
As per DoAE, it has been established by the scientific investigations that no damage is caused to borewells and crops due to UCIL operations at Tummalapalle.
This information was given by the Minister of State, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Strict Vigil against Polluting Activities in Upcoming Winters
50 Teams to be deployed by Central Pollution Control Board in Delhi and NCR Towns for Ground Feedback
In order to step up efforts for ensuring better air quality, 50 teams of Central Pollution Control Board  will be deployed to make extensive field visits from October 15, 2020 to February 28, 2021.
The teams will visit Delhi and NCR towns - Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut in Uttar Pradesh; Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabgarh, Jhajjar, Panipat, Sonepat in Haryana; and Bhiwadi, Alwar, Bharatpur in Rajasthan. These teams will specifically focus on hotspot areas where the problem is aggravated.
On spot reporting of major air polluting sources such as major construction activities without proper control measures, dumping of garbage & construction waste alongside the roads and on open plots, unpaved roads, open burning of garbage/industrial waste, etc. will be done using SAMEER App.
Feedback on polluting activities will be shared with concerned agencies through an automated system, for quick action. Details will also be shared with State Governments. This will help in taking timely actions and monitoring at appropriate levels by the concerned agencies.
A Central Control Room at CPCB Head Quarters has been made functional for keeping track of pollution levels on hour to hour basis and overall coordination with State agencies. In addition, district wise nodal officers have been appointed for better management and coordination with teams.
Air quality in winter season is a major environmental concern in Delhi and NCR region. Various efforts are being taken since past five years for air quality management in the region. Although gradual year on year improvement in air quality has been observed, a lot needs to be done.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves agreement between India and Brazil on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the Agreement between the Republic of India and the Federative Republic of Brazil on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters has to be signed.
2. The Agreement aims to enhance effectiveness of both the countries in investigation and prosecution of crime through cooperation and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. In the context of transnational crime and its linkages to terrorism, the proposed Agreement will provide a broad legal framework for bilateral cooperation with the Federative Republic of Brazil in investigation and prosecution of crime as well as in tracing, restraint and confiscation of proceeds and instruments of crime as well as the fund meant to finance terrorist acts.
Ministry of Defence
India and Mozambique reiterate commitment to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation
Mozambique Minister of Defence Mr Atanasio Salvador M’Tumukeis on an official visit to India alongwith a delegation. It follows the earlier visit of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to Mozambique in July 2019.
The Mozambican Minister met with Raksha Mantri in South Block today. During today’s meeting, both Ministers reiterated their commitment to strengthen the bilateral defence relationship between the two countries.
The Mozambican delegation also visited Bharat Electronics Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at Bengaluru in November 28, 2019.
ABB/Nampi/DK/Savvy/MTJ/ADA
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Food grain procurement picks up pace amid lockdown
More than half of targeted 400 LMT wheat for Central Pool procured
45 LMT paddy also procured, Telangana leads with 30 LMT share
States/UTs lifted 70 LMT food grains under PMGKAY, which is about 58% of the total allocation for 3 months
The procurement of wheat and rice  during the ongoing Rabi season has picked up pace despite severe logistical constraints posed due to the countrywide lockdown. Against the target of 400 Lakh Metric Tonnes  of wheat, procurement for central pool has touched 216 LMT upto 06.05.20. It is particularly heartening since procurement in major wheat procuring states like Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh had started only after 15th April. Similarly paddy procurement is also going on smoothly with 44.9 LMT paddy procured so far by the government agencies.
Punjab is leading the wheat procurement with 104.28 LMT procurement followed by Haryana with 50.56 LMT and Madhya Pradesh with 48.64 LMT. Due to unseasonal rains, some of the wheat stocks in these states were affected. Government of India has already come to the rescue of farmers by relaxing specifications for procurement which has greatly aided the procurement and saved farmers from any distress. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also contributed to the Central Pool procurement and are picking up momentum.
Regarding paddy, maximum procurement has happened in Telangana where there has been a quantum jump in the production due to commissioning of large irrigation projects. Out of the total paddy procurement of about 45 LMT, contribution of Telangana alone is 30 LMT followed by Andhra Pradesh with about 10 LMT. This healthy pace of procurement amidst wide ranging challenges posed by the lockdown is the outcome of extensive team work between Government of India and respective State governments.
Lifting of food grains by state governments under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana  under which 5 Kg food grain is being distributed free of cost for 3 months to about 80 crore beneficiaries across the country has crossed 70 LMT, which is about 58% of the total allocation for 3 months. Every state has completed lifting of stocks against April 2020 quota and 5 Union Territories have completed lifting of entire 3 month’s quota. Government of India is ensuring that availability of food grains is not a cause of concern for anyone in the country by providing sufficient food grains to every State/UT.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
KVIC organises ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Mumbai to celebrate 75 years of Independence
On the occasion of 76th Independence Day, Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Shri Manoj Kumar unfurled the National flag in the premises of KVIC in Mumbai.
In his key note address Shri Manoj Kumar said, Amrit Mahotsav will strengthen the spirit of patriotism by uniting the countrymen in one thread. ‘Gandhiji believed that nation will be strong only when the villages are made strong, let us resolve to fulfill Gandhiji's dream with our tireless efforts’, he added. Speaking on the occasion, he said that this is the first time that so much effort has been made by the government to promote Khadi through national and international forums. He mentioned about the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his radio program "Mann Ki Baat" and other efforts.
Shri Kumar said that Khadi and Village Industries Commission will strengthen Khadi and Village Industries sector by focussing on economic development. He said ‘KVIC is a multi-faceted organization where various schemes are being implemented for the upliftment of all sections along with the person standing in the last row of the society’, he added.
Various Cultural Programme like orchestra, Puppet Show, Storytelling on Spinning Yarn and Kavi Sammelan were also organised at KVIC Office Mumbai.
To encourage public regarding the use of Khadi, KVIC organized "Tiranga Yatra" from Church Gate Station to Marine Drive, in which thousands of Khadi Artisans, Khadi workers besides KVIC employees and officials participated. Earlier, “Tiranga Yatra" have been organized by all the regional offices of KVIC across the country since August 11.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
First export consignments of ‘red rice’ from Assam to the USA flagged off
In a major boost to India’s rice exports potential, the first consignment of ‘red rice’ was flagged off today to the USA.Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer. The rice variety is referred as ‘Bao-dhaan’, which is an integral part of the Assamese food.
The red rice is being sourced by leading rice exporter – LT Foods. The flagging off ceremony of the export consignments was carried out by APEDA Chairman Dr M.Angamuthu at Sonepat, Haryana.As the exports of ‘red rice’ grow, it would bring enhance incomes of farming families of the Brahmaputra flood plains.
APEDA has promoting rice exports through collaborations with various stakeholders in the value chains. The government had set up the Rice Export Promotion Forum , under the aegis of the APEDA. REPF has representations from rice industry, exporters, officials from APEDA, ministry of commerce and directors of agriculture from major rice producing states including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
During the April – January period of 2020-21, the shipment of non-Basmati rice witnessed an impressive spike. The non-basmati rice exports was Rs 26,058 crore  duringApril-January, 2021 against Rs 11,543 crore  reported during April-January, 2020 period. The exports of non-Basmati witnessed a growth of 125 % in Rupeeterm and 115 % Dollar terms.
The sharp spike in rice exports especially during a phase where globally the COVID19 pandemichas disrupted supply changes many commodities, has been attributed to the government takingprompt measures to ensure exports of rice while taking all the COVID19 related safetyprecautions. “We took several measures in terms of ensuring safety and hygiene because of theoperational and health challenges posed by COVID19, while ensuring that rice exports continueuninterrupted,” M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA has said.
YB/SS
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, after a review of the pandemic situation, full office attendance shall be resumed from tomorrow
The Minister Says, employees at all levels, without any exemption, shall attend office on regular basis with effect from February 7, 2022
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh announced this evening that a review of the pandemic situation was done today and in view of the decline in the number of COVID cases as well as decline in positivity rate, it has been decided that full office attendance shall be resumed from tomorrow and employees at all levels, without any exemption, shall attend office on regular basis with effect from February 7, 2022.
The Minister further informed that the Head of Departments shall, however, ensure that employees wear face masks at all times and continue to follow the COVID appropriate behaviour.
This is in supersession of the earlier Circular according to which the 50% office attendance rule had been extended till 15th of February. But, after obtaining inputs from the relevant quarters and review of the situation, a fresh OM  is issued by the Department of Personnel & Training  informing that all the employees at all levels, without any exemption, will report to office from tomorrow, that is, 7th of February 2022. There will no more be "work from home" option for any employee.
Pertinent to mention that DoPT had issued certain guidelines through an Office Memorandum  dated 3rd January 2022 and the same were being reviewed from time to time depending upon the pandemic situation.
In a subsequent review, it was considered appropriate to extend these guidelines up to 15th February. The physical attendance of government servants below the level of the Under Secretary was restricted to 50 percent of the actual strength and the remaining 50 percent were asked to work from home. In addition to this, the persons with disability and pregnant women employees were exempted from attending office. The officers and staff working from home were asked to remain available on telephone and other means of communication at all times.
Meanwhile, last month, Dr Jitendra Singh held a video conference and spoke to the employees working from home as well as those who had tested positive for COVID. He had enquired about their well-being and also sought their inputs and views.
However, now, in supersession of the earlier Circular according to which the 50% office attendance rule had been extended till 15th of February, a fresh OM  is issued by the Department of Personnel & Training  informing that all the employees at all levels, without any exemption, will report to office from tomorrow, that is , 7th of February 2022. There will no more be "work from home" option for any employee.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for transferring Rs. 20,000 crore in the accounts of 10 crore farmers under PM Kisan Yojana on the very first day of 2022
Shri Amit Shah said that without empowerment of farmers overall development of the country is not possible and the country has seen farmer-friendly Modi government, making continuous efforts to make farmers self-reliant, since last seven years
PMKisan Yojana has done very good work to keep farmers debt free by giving them financial support at the most critical time of farming
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for transferring Rs. 20,000 crore in the accounts of 10 crore farmers under the PMKisan Yojana on the very first day of 2022.
The Union Home Minister said in a series of tweets that “without farmer empowerment the overall development of the country is not possible and the country has seen the farmer-friendly Modi government, making continuous efforts to make farmers self-reliant, since the last seven years.”
He said that “the PMKisan Yojana has done very good in keeping farmers debt free by giving them financial support at the most critical time of farming.”
Prime Minister's Office
PM recalls sacrifices of all those martyred on this day in Jallianwala Bagh
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has recalled the sacrifices of all those martyred on this day in Jallianwala Bagh.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"I recall the sacrifices of all those martyred on this day in Jallianwala Bagh. Their great sacrifice inspires us to work even harder to fulfil the dreams of our great freedom fighters and build a strong and developed India."
Ministry of Defence
PRESIDENT CONFERS VAYU SENA MEDAL  ON SQUADRON LEADER DILIP GURNANI,  ADMINISTRATION/ FIGHTER CONTROLLER 
EMBARGO : NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/
OR USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE 15 AUG 22, 0001 HRS
Squadron Leader Dilip Gurnani,  Administration/ Fighter Controller/ Garud is the Commanding Officer of a Garud Flight. He was assigned the responsibility of Garud Detachment Commander while on deployment in Op Rakshak with a battalion of Rashtriya Rifles.
On 13 Oct 2021, during Operation Wagad, based on a specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists, a specific search operation was planned and launched in a dense build-up area in general area Wagad of Tral town, District Pulwama.
Squadron Leader Dilip Gurnani led the Garud Squad from Northern direction and cordoned the target area by 1120 hours. A total of 19 houses were taken inside the Cordon. During systematic search of the houses, at approximately 1410 hours when a Garud search party was approaching the target house they came under heavy volume of fire.
Squadron Leader Dilip Gurnani along with his team immediately retaliated with pin point, effective & heavy volume of fire, and foiled the escape attempt of a terrorist through effective fire control and co-ordination between the Garud team.
At approximately 1520 hours, a terrorist lobbed a grenade at the Garud team & came out of the house firing indiscriminately in an attempt to escape. At this critical juncture, Squadron Leader Dilip Gurnani displaying good situational awareness, exceptional courage and unparalleled selflessness, dashed to a favorable tactical position and engaged the terrorist from a close range of five meters and eliminated him. The terrorist was later identified as Category A terrorist, of Jaish-e-Mohammad Tanzeem.
For this act of exceptional courage, Squadron Leader Dilip Gurnani is awarded Vayu Sena Medal .
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
DEPwD to organise Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme in Faridabad on 6th May, 2018
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Ministry of Social Justice and Empowermentwill organize a ‘Cochlear Implant Awareness Programme’on 6th May, 2018 at Huda Convention Centre, Sector-12, Faridabad . Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment shall be the Chief Guest in the programme. Smt. ShakuntalaDoleyGamlin, Secretary  & other Officers of the Department shall also participate in the programme.The function is of great importance for creating awareness among the public about the Cochlear Implant Programme under ADIP Scheme of the Department.
Under ADIP Scheme of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , there is provision for Cochlear Implant surgeries of Hearing Impaired children’s up to the age of 5 years at the cost of Rs.6.00 Lakhs per unit.After Successful Cochlear Implant Surgeries, the child is able to hear and speak like normal Children.Government has empanelled 172 Hospitals  throughout the country for the surgeries.
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for Speech and Hearing Disabilities , Mumbai is the Nodal Agency for Cochlear Implant Surgeries.During the last 4 years  1149 Cochlear Implant Surgeries have been conducted successfully.